Utility Programs Operating Systems continued.

Types of Operating Systems

A device-dependent program is one that runs only on a specific type of computer.

Proprietary software is privately owned and limited to a specific vendor or computer model.

The trend today is towards device-independent operating systems that run on computers provided by a variety of manufacturers.

The three basic categories that exist today are stand-alone, server, and embedded.

Types of Operating Systems

Stand-Alone Operating Systems

A stand-alone operating system is a

complete operating system that works on a

desktop computer, notebook computer, or

mobile computing device.

Some are client operating systems that work

in conjunction with a server operating

system, with or without a network.

Examples of stand-alone OSs are Windows

Vista, Mac OS X, UNIX, and Linux.

Windows Vista

Windows Vista WAS Microsoft’s fastest,

most efficient operating system to date,

offering quicker program start up, built-in

diagnostics, automatic recovery, improved

security, and enhanced searching and

organizing capabilities.

Windows 7, more recently, is a much

better build than the previous Windows

Vista.

Windows Vista

Windows Vista comes in multiple editions

including: Home Basic, Home Premium,

Ultimate, and Business.

Each offers more system functionality

than the previous editions.

Windows Vista

Windows Firewall is used to secure the network connection from hackers.

Windows Messenger users can send and receive instant messages.

Windows Media Player allows users to listen to music and watch movies.

Windows Sidebar is a vertical bar on the edge of the desktop where users can place gadgets, or widgets, which are mini-programs with minimal functionality, such as calendars, clocks, and contact lists.

Windows Vista

Mac OS X

Apple’s Macintosh operating system

has set the standard for operating system

ease of use and has been the model for

most of the new GUIs developed for non-

Macintosh systems.

The latest version, Mac OS X, is a

multitasking operating system available

only for computers manufactured by

Apple. (10.6.6 is the latest version)

Mac OS X

Includes features from previous version of

the OS, such as large photo-quality icons,

built-in networking support, email, chat,

and so on.

UNIX

UNIX is a multitasking operating system developed in the early 1970s by scientists at Bell Laboratories.

Bell Labs was prohibited from actively promoting UNIX, but licensed it for low fees to numerous colleges.

Several versions exist, each are slightly different.

Some versions have a command-line interface, but most have a GUI.

Linux

Linux, introduced in 1991, is a popular, multitasking UNIX type operating system.

Linux is not proprietary software, like the other OSs discussed thus far. Instead it is open source software, which means its code is provided for use, modification, and redistribution.

Many programmers have donated time to modify and redistribute Linux to make it the best possible version of UNIX.

Linux

Linux is available in a variety of forms,

known as distributions, some command-

line, some GUI.

The two most popular GUIs are GNOME

and KDE.

It can be downloaded for free from the

Web, purchased from companies such as

Red Hat or IBM, or included with books

in the form of an optical disc.

Server Operating Systems

A server operating system is an OS that is

designed specifically to support a

network, and typically resides on a server.

Many stand-alone OSs discussed function

as clients and work in conjunction with a

server OS.

Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2008 is an upgrade to

Windows Server 2003 and includes

features from previous versions as well as:

◦ Improved Web server management

◦ Enhanced server security

◦ Network Access Protection

◦ Protection against malicious software attacks

◦ Shares many technologies with Windows

◦ Supports clients with various OSs

Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2008 family includes many editions to meet the needs of all sizes of business. ◦ Standard

◦ Enterprise

◦ Datacenter

◦ Server

◦ Server for Itanium-Based Systems

Most feature virtualization, which is the practice of sharing or pooling resources to split one physical server into multiple virtual servers.

UNIX

In addition to being a standard OS, UNIX

is also a server OS capable of handling a

high volume of transactions in a multiuser

environment.

It is known as a multipurpose operating

system because it is both a stand-alone

and a server OS.

Linux

Linux is also a multipurpose OS capable

of functioning as a server.

Solaris

Solaris, a version of UNIX developed by

Sun Microsystems, is a server operating

system designed specifically for e-

commerce applications.

NetWare

Novell’s NetWare is a server operating

system designed for client/server

networks.

It has a server portion on the network

server and a client portion on each client

computer.

Embedded Operating Systems

An embedded operating system is on

mobile devices and money consumer

electronics and resides on a ROM chip.

Windows Embedded CE

Windows Embedded CE is a scaled-down Windows OS designed for use on communications, entertainment, and computing devices.

Devices include VoIP telephones, industrial control devices, digital cameras, point-of-sale terminals, automated teller machines, digital photo frames, fuel pumps, security robots, handheld navigation devices, media players, ticket machines, and computerized sewing machines.

Windows Mobile

Windows Mobile is an operating system

based on Windows Embedded CE that

includes functionality, programs, and a

user interface designed for specific types

of smart phones and PDAs.

Users have access to all the basic

personal information manager functions

such as contact lists, schedules, tasks,

calendars, and notes.

Palm OS

Palm OS runs on smart phones and PDAs

allowing users to manage schedules and

contacts, phone messages, notes, task and

address lists, and appointments.

Many devices allow users to connect

wirelessly to the Internet, browse the

Web, send and receive e-mail messages,

text messages, and instant messages and

so on.

iPhone OS

iPhone OS, developed by Apple, is an

operating system for the iPhone and iPod

touch, Apple’s smart phone and touch

screen portable media player.

These devices are multi-touch, which

means they recognize multiple points of

contact, allowing users to pinch-to-zoom.

BlackBerry

The BlackBerry operating system runs on

handheld devices supplied by Research In

Motion.

They provide all of the personal

information management functions of the

other embedded OSs.

Embedded Linux

Embedded Linux is a scaled-down Linux

OS designed for smart phones, PDAs,

portable media players, Internet

telephones, and many other types of

devices and computer requiring an

embedded operating system.

Symbian OS

Symbian OS is an open source multitasking

OS designed for smart phones.

Utility Programs

A utility program, also called a utility,

is a type of system software that allows a

user to perform maintenance-type tasks,

usually related to managing a computer, its

devices, or its programs.

Utility programs are built-in to many

operating systems or can be purchased

separately.

Utility Programs

Functions provided include: managing files, searching for files, viewing images, uninstalling programs, cleaning up disks, defragmenting disks, backing up files and disks, setting up screen savers, securing a computer, etc.

File Manager

A file manager is a utility that performs functions related to file management, such as displaying a list of files on a storage medium, organizing files in folders, copying renaming, deleting moving and sorting files and folders, and creating shortcuts.

A folder is a specific named location on a storage medium that contains related documents.

A shortcut is an icon on the desktop or in a folder that provides a user with immediate access to a program or file.

File Manager

The file manager that comes with

windows is called Explorer.

Search Utility

A search utility is a program that attempts to locate a file on your computer based on criteria you specify.

The criteria may include a word or words contained in a file, date of creation or modification, size of the file, location, file name, author, and other properties.

Search utilities typically use an index, which stores a variety of information about the file, including its name, date created and modified, and author to quickly locate the file.

Search Utility

In Windows, Explorer and the Start Menu

contain a search box where you enter the

search criteria.

Image Viewer

An image viewer is

a utility that allows

users to display, copy,

and print the

contents of a graphics

file, such as a photo.

Windows Photo Gallery

allows you to manage

and edit photos.

Uninstaller

An uninstaller is a utility that removes a

program, as well as any associated entries

in the system files.

When you install a program, the OS

keeps record of it.

The uninstaller deletes these files and

folders when a program is uninstalled.

In Windows, this is done through the

Control Panel: ‘Uninstall a program’.

Disk Cleanup

A disk cleanup utility searches for and

removes unnecessary files, including

downloaded program files, temporary

Internet files, deleted files, and unused

program files.

Disk Defragmenter

A disk defragmenter is a utility that reorganizes the files and unused space on a computer’s hard disk so that the operating system accesses data more quickly and programs run faster.

It attempts to place data in sectors that are contiguous (next to each other) when possible, a process known as defragmenting.

When contents of a file are scattered across noncontiguous sectors, the file is fragmented.

Backup and Restore Utilities

A backup utility allows users to copy, or back up, selected files or an entire hard disk to another storage medium such as an external hard disk.

Many backup programs compress, or shrink the size of, files during the backup process, requiring less storage.

A restore utility, reverses the process and returns the backed up files to their original form.

Screen Saver

A screen save is a utility that causes a

display device’s screen to show a moving

image or blank screen if no keyboard or

mouse activity occurs for a specified time,

waking when input is detected.

Originally developed to prevent a

problem called ghosting, in which images

could be etched permanently on a

monitor’s screen.

Personal Firewall

A personal firewall is a utility that detects and protects a personal computer from unauthorized intrusions, monitoring all transmissions to and from a computer.

Without a firewall, the computer is vulnerable to attacks from a hacker, someone who tries to access a computer or network illegally.

Windows has a built in firewall,called Windows Firewall.

Antivirus Programs

A computer virus is a potentially damaging computer program that affects, or infects, a computer negatively by altering the way the computer works without the user’s knowledge or permission.

Once inside, a virus can spread and damage your files and operating system, while other viruses can be harmless pranks.

Antivirus Programs

Malware (malicious software) is software that acts without a user’s knowledge and deliberately alters the computer’s operations.

A worm copies itself repeatedly, for example, in memory or over a network, using up system resources.

A Trojan horse hides within or looks like a legitimate program such as a screen saver.

Antivirus Programs

An antivirus program protects a computer against viruses by identifying and removing any computer viruses found in memory, storage, or incoming files.

They require regular updates to protect users against newly discovered and newly created viruses.

Three popular types are McAfee VirusScan, Norton AntiVirus, and Windows Live OneCare.

Spyware and Adware Removers

Spyware is a program placed on a computer without the user’s knowledge that secretly collects information about the user.

Adware is a program that displays an online advertisement in a banner or pop-up window on Web pages, e-mail, or Internet services, and sometimes contains spyware.

Spyware removers and adware removers are programs that detect and delete spyware and adware, respectively.

Internet Filters

Web filtering software is a program

that restricts access to certain material

on the Web, such as specific sites or sites

that contain certain words or phrases.

A anti-spam program is a filtering

program that attempts to remove spam,

unsolicited e-mail messages, before it

reaches your e-mail inbox.

Internet Filters

A phishing filter is a program that

warns or blocks you from potentially

fraudulent Web sites attempting to phish,

or obtain your personal and/or financial

information.

A pop-up blocker is a filtering program

that stops pop-up ads, advertisements that

appear in new windows on a Web page.

File Compression

A file compression utility shrinks the

size of a file(s), thus taking up less storage

space than the original file.

Zipped files are compressed files with a

.zip extension.

Compressed files are uncompressed, or

unzipped, and restored to their original

form.

Media Player

A media player is a program that allows

you to view images and animation, listen

to audio, and watch video files.

Windows comes with Windows Media

Player, but other popular players are

iTunes, RealPlayer, and Rhapsody.

Disc Burning

Disc burning software writes text,

graphics, audio, and video files on a

recordable or rewritable CD, DVD, or

Blu-ray Disc.

Personal Computer Maintenance

A personal computer

maintenance utility

identifies and fixes

operating system

problems, detects and

repairs disk problems,

and includes the

capability of improving a

computer's performance.